Hamilton and teammate Nico Rosberg presented the Mercedes silver-and-turquoise W05 before testing began, and the former champion was the first to take his car out and the first to complete a full lap at the Jerez track.

Hamilton drove into the barrier at turn 1 midway through the session, leaving debris and long tire marks before he went off the asphalt.

So far, few drivers ventured out as teams struggled with new engineering rules that have caused them to revamp their cars.